Parra Takes Fast Lane To Mls Job

FUSION

July 18, 1998|By DAVE BROUSSEAU Staff Writer

Fusion defensive midfielder Carlos Parra always dreamed of playing professional soccer. Remarkably, he accomplished it right out of high school.

Parra turned down an opportunity to play at the University of Maryland to join Major League Soccer. Parra was the first Project-40 player to sign with an MLS team, shortly after graduating from Hamden Hall High School in New Haven, Conn.

''It was always my dream to play professional soccer,' Parra said. ''So I was waiting for the moment. When it came I took advantage of it. It was a big adjustment for me because I wasn't playing with high school players anymore.''

Project-40 is a joint venture between MLS and U.S. Soccer aimed at providing America's young talent with training opportunities at the level needed to enhance international success.

Parra, 21, signed with the New York-New Jersey MetroStars before last season, starting the first three games. He became the youngest player in MetroStars history when he played 90 minutes against San Jose on March 22, 1997. The Fusion acquired Parra in a trade with the MetroStars in June.

Parra (6 feet, 165 pounds) will start his fourth straight game at 10:30 tonight when the Fusion plays the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

''I've been interested in Parra since the beginning of the season,'' Fusion coach Carlos Cordoba said. ''I saw him play last year against San Jose. He impressed me with his personality on the field. He stepped in front of the big names and said, `I'm here.' Since that day I have been impressed with him.''

Parra's growth has been steady.

He played with U.S. Under-18 national team and represented the U.S. Under-20 team at the World Youth Championships. He is captain of the U.S. Under-23 national team. Parra will join the national team this month on an international tour that includes four matches against English club teams.

''Just being around players like Carlos Valderrama, Tab Ramos and Roberto Donadoni has been a plus,'' he said. ''Their professionalism and decision-making during games is something. I want to improve to their level. I have a long way to go to get to their level. It's something I'm looking forward to.''

Cordoba is pleased with Parra's progression into the starting lineup.

''I wasn't surprised that he was able to start as soon as he did,'' Cordoba said. ''He's a guy that doesn't have any bad habits. He's a 24-hour-a-day soccer player. He reminds me a lot of myself when I was young. There was nothing more important than the game.''

Parra has exceptional poise despite his youth. He's learned to stay home on defense and push forward when the moment calls for it. Parra recorded his first career MLS assist in the Fusion's 3-2 shootout victory over San Jose on Wednesday.

Parra, who played in the streets of Colombia over the summers as a kid, still has some kid left in him.

''I had pictures of Valderrama hanging on my wall when I was a kid,'' Parra said. ''I used to say someday I'd love to play with that guy. Now I have a chance to play with one of my idols.''